Trump Hits India with Extra 25% Tariff Over Russian Oil Imports

By: Maxamed Cawil

Date: August 6, 2025

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order imposing an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports, in response to India’s continued purchase of crude oil from Russia.

The new tariff raises the total duty on Indian goods entering the U.S. to 50% — one of the highest rates ever imposed by the United States on a foreign trading partner.

According to the executive order, the new rate will be “effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, 21 days after the date of this order.”

Trump had previously warned he would impose higher tariffs if India continued buying from Russia, stating:

“India doesn’t care how many people are being killed in Ukraine by the Russian War Machine.”

A White House statement said the actions of the Russian Federation in Ukraine remain a threat to U.S. national security and foreign policy and that stronger measures are necessary to address the ongoing national emergency.

“India’s importation of oil from the Russian Federation undermines U.S. efforts to counter Russia’s harmful activities,” the statement read.

It further claimed that India’s resale of Russian oil into global markets “enables the Russian economy to continue funding its aggression [in Ukraine].”

The administration said the tariff is intended to “deter countries from supporting the Russian Federation’s economy.” The U.S. will also evaluate other countries importing Russian oil and “recommend further actions to the President as needed.”

This new action follows peace negotiation efforts led by Trump’s top envoy, Steve Witkoff, who visited Moscow recently in hopes of brokering talks between Russia and Ukraine.

India, for its part, has denounced the tariff move. Its government previously called Trump’s threats “unjustified and unreasonable.”

Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, said the U.S. had initially encouraged India to import Russian gas at the onset of the conflict, “to help stabilize global energy markets.”

He added that India began sourcing oil from Russia because traditional supplies were redirected to Europe after the war in Ukraine began.

India also criticized the U.S. — its largest trading partner — for imposing tariffs while continuing to engage in trade with Russia.

Last year, the U.S. traded an estimated $3.5 billion worth of goods with Russia, despite sanctions and high tariffs.

“Like any major economy, India will take all necessary steps to safeguard its national interests and economic security,” the Indian Foreign Ministry said.